2019

Actinomycetes are gram-positive bacteria with high guanine + cytosine content of over 55% in their DNA. They belong to the order Actinomycetales and form an important segment of the microflora of most natural environments. Soils, manures and composts, freshwater bodies such as lakes and river bottoms contain an abundance of these organisms. Actinomycetes are aerobic, spore forming organisms with a distinctive feature of possessing filamentous hyphae that do not normally undergo fragmentation. Due to their phenotypic similarities to fungi, actinomycetes are also known as ray fungi (Chaudhary et al., 2013). Actinomycetes provide an excellent resource for the isolation and identification of therapeutically important secondary metabolites such as, antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, enzyme, immunosuppressant and other industrially useful compounds (Dhawane and Zodpe, 2017). These microbial compounds have been a source of life saving environment for many bacterial and fungal infections. Some effective antibiotics manufactured from actinomycetes includes: penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, amphotericin and vancomycin. These microbial natural products are notable not only for their potent therapeutic activities but also for the fact that they frequently pose desirable pharmacokinetic properties required for clinical development (Khasabuli and Kibera, 2014). Antibiotics of actinomycetes origin have a wide variety of chemical structure, including aminoglycosides, β-lactams, antracyclines, tetracycline, nucleosides, peptides, polyenes and actinomycins. Secondary metabolites isolated from soil actinomycetes have also been proven to be potent inhibitors of numerous plant pathogens (Agadagba, 2014). 1 A large number of actinomycetes have been isolated and screened from soil in the past several decades, accounting for 70 80% of relevant secondary metabolites available commercially. It has been estimated that approximately one-third of the thousands of naturally occurring antibiotics have been obtained from actinomycetes (Chaudhary et al., 2013). More than 70% of these antibiotics are attributed to two genera viz., Streptomyces and Micromonospora (Rai et al., 2018). The richness and diversity of actinomycetes present in any specific soil, is greatly influenced by the soil type, geographical location, cultivation and organic matter amongst other factors (Agadagba, 2014). According to the World Health Organization, over-prescription and the improper use of antibiotics has led to the generation of antibiotic resistance in many bacterial pathogens (Kumar et al., 2010). Serious infections caused by microorganisms that have acquired resistance to commonly used antibiotics have become a major global healthcare problem in the 21st century (Jarallah and Rahaman, 2014). Some antibiotics like penicillin, erythromycin, and methicillin which used to be very effective treatment against infectious diseases are now less effective because pathogens are now more resistant to such antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant pathogens such as methicillin and vancomycin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and others cause an enormous threat to the treatment of serious infections. These drug resistant strains emerge more quickly than the rate of discovery of new drugs and antibiotics (Kumar et al., 2010). Also, increase in fungal infection happens because the available antifungal drugs are not very effective in treating fungal diseases. Fungal diseases are often difficult to diagnose and treat because antifungal drugs are often not very effective in the setting of impaired immunity (Casadevall et al., 2002). Candida albicans can develop resistance to antimycotic drugs such as fluconazole which is often used to treat candidiasis. The frequency of multiazole-resistant 2 3 strains belonging to Candida species other than Candida albicans is increasing (Hitchcock et al., 1993)

This study was undertaken to determine the quality of surface, harvested and ground water of IGBANKE in Orihionmwan area of Edo State, southern Nigeria. Five water samples were collected from harvested water (well), four from surface water (river), and one from bore hole. The result of the analysis showed that appearance (clear), Calcium (0.185-0.445), Manganese (<0.05), Magnesium (0.106-0.124), Nitrate (0.004-0.011), Iron (0.008-0.109), Phosphate (0.000-0.006), Zinc (0.006-0.0015), Cu (<0.05), Cr (0<0.05) , Ammonium-N (0.003-0.008), Sulphate (0.006-0.026), Electric conduction (28-88) and pH (5.42-5.87). The results gotten were compared with the World Health Organization standard (W.H.O) 1995, to determine quality of the water. From the result, all the parameter falls within the permissible limit for drinking water set by World Health Organization (W.H.O.)

The main purpose of this study is to find out factors contributing to poor sanitary conditions in some selected secondary schools in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area. The study reviewed related literature on the factors contributing to poor sanitary conditions in some selected secondary schools. Five research questions were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire. The instrument was administered to 150 students randomly selected from the 3 selected secondary school and a measure of central tendency and variability was used to analyze the respondents’; responses. The findings of the study revealed that: irregular payment of salaries to cleaners, improper disposal of waste, inadequate handwashing and improper cleaning of the school environment are some of the factors contributing to poor sanitary conditions in some schools. The following recommendations are made based on the findings of the study: schools administrators should ensure that those in charge of cleaning the school environment are adequately monitored. Government should ensure regular payment of cleaners salaries and schools should not be sited in bushy areas as this can become a breeding place for mosquitoes which can be detrimental to the health of the students

This study carried out a research on liquidity and performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The population of the study is one hundred & five (105) Manufacturing sampling firms. Four research questions and four hypotheses were stated. Data collection was from Nigeria Stock Exchange through the MachameStat. The data was analyzed in line with the research questions and hypothesis. Descriptive Statistics was conducted; the Pearson correlation coefficient was employed and the panel least squares methods in testing the hypotheses of this study. It was revealed that in research question 0, which implies that we should reject the null hypothesis �0 which state that There Is No Significant Impact of profit after tax margin (PATM) on the Performance Of listed Manufacturing firm In Nigeria. The research question 1, this result suggests that we accept the hypothesis ��1 which states that there is no significant effect of debtor management(DEBT_CA) on the performance/profitability of listed manufacturing firm in Nigeria

Small and Medium Enterprises play a very important role in development of the Nigerian Economy. Making up about 97% of the entire economy, they serve as a source of employment generation, innovation, competition, economic dynamism which ultimately lead to poverty alleviation and national growth. Tax policy is one of the factors that constitute the Small businesses’ economic environment. This research work tries to establish if any relationship exists between the growth of Small businesses and the tax policy environment in which they operate in Nigeria. Questionnaires were distributed to Small businesses in Benin City, Edo State, problem of high tax rates, multiple taxation, complex tax regulations and lack of proper enlightenment or education about tax related issues. Although there was a general perception that tax is an important source of fund for development of the economy and provision of social services, the study revealed a significant negative relationship between taxes and the business’ ability to sustain itself and to expand. In order to obtain a vibrant and flourishing SME sector, the tax policy needs to be appropriate such that it will neither be an encumbrance to the Small businesses nor discourage voluntary compliance. A suggested solution is by increasing tax incentives through reducing tax rates and increasing tax authorities’ support services towards small and medium enterprises.

This study assessed students of social studies perception on the learning of sex education in secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The descriptive survey method was adopted for the study. A sample size of 250 respondents was used. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection of the study. The statistical tools used to analyzed the research questions were the frequency count, simple percentage and mean score. The findings revealed that social studies students had knowledge of sex education, that religion belief affected the learning of sex education in secondary schools. That cultural belief affected the learning of sexX education in secondary schools and that perception of sex education by students affected the learning of sex education positively in secondary schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended that both parents and teachers should teach of more comprehensive sex education without any element of prejudice to any aspect of the content. Since the students were of the opinion that the teachers were the best person to discuss sex related issues with, teachers should strive to create a friendly atmosphere with the students so that they can be properly guided on sex related issues. Contraception
should be taught in sex education in line with the culture of the society, religious leaders should make it a sole responsibility by organizing seminars, moral lessons basically on sex education to educate young people on how to tackle sexual harassment.

This research work was conducted in the University of Benin, Benin City, with the aim to determine plant nutrient status under different land use types within the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from twelve (12) sites, (three each) from four (4) different land use types, namely: Arable land, Fallow land, Grazing land, and Forest land at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. Soil samples from same land use and same depth were bulked to make composite samples which were taken to the laboratory for analysis using standard procedures. Some of the parameters analyzed for are, the Soil pH, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Nitrogen (N), Available Phosphorus (P), Exchangeable Acidity, Exchangeable Base (BS), particle size distribution, Electrical conductivity, Potassium (K) calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC). Results showed that the top soils belong to the textural class of loamy sand. Sand content decreased with depth in all land uses while clay content increased with depth. pH was least in arable land, having pH 4.93 and highest in grazing area, having pH 6.2. pH decreased with depth in all land uses except in grazing area, where it increased. TOC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na and sand content, all had their highest values in the top 15 cm of the soils but decreased down the profile while H, Al, and clay values increased with depth

The soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) is a graphical relationship between the matric suction (pore water suction)  and the water content (gravimeter  or volumetric  or degree saturation s). It is one of the basic characteristics of unsaturated soils and as such, it is useful for estimating the other properties of soil when solving engineering problems in areas like fluid flow, irrigation scheduling, compressibility and shear strength. SWCC also provide input to the design of a compacted clay cover liner and earth Dam due to its potential impact of flow rate and the dessication processes. Since the experimental procedures, in which a filter paper or pressure plate test adopted for determining the matric suction-water content relationship is time consuming and cost-intensive, hence the need to produce the SWCC using some mathematical functions (models). The fundamental aim of this research is to determine the mechanical behaviour of lateritic soil using SWCC. The soil samples that were used in this research work are residual reddish brown lateritic soil that was obtained from University of Benin Campus. The method of disturbed sampling was employed in obtaining soil samples for laboratory testing. Full laboratory investigation were carried out on the soil samples, these include; liquid limits, plastic limit, plasticity index, liquidity index, specific gravity, particle size analysis and specific gravities. Soil water characteristics curve (SWCC) specimens were prepared with one compactive effort (BSL) to relative OMC. 2.5kg of each specimen was moistened with tap water, mixed thoroughly and compacted in BS moulds and later cored into stainless steel rings with inside diameters of 50mm and heights of 50mm with the aid of a mallet. Each of the 15 specimens was covered with caps at both ends before saturation. The samples were subjected to full saturation by capillary action for a period of 3 weeks. The pressure plate drying test used in this study was conducted to determine the relationships between volumetric water content and matric suction potentials in a soil subjected to pressures ranging between 0 - 1500kPa. Pressure was applied to a predetermined value to induce matric suction. Testing was terminated when the outflow stopped indicating that specimens had equilibrated with the applied matric suction. The specimens were removed and their volumetric water content was determined. The procedure was repeated to develop an entire SWCC by subjecting the soil specimens to different pressures (0 – 1500kPa). In this study, the author used 3 models and they are Van Genuchten equation, Fredlund and Xing equation and Brooks – Corey equation. With the data from the pressure plate extractor to predict hydraulic productivity and volumetric water content of the soil samples. The results of index properties shows that the natural moisture content of the soil is between 36%- 46%, plasticity index is between 17,92% to 28.03%. The specific gravity is between 2.31%-2.57% and the soil is classified as lateritic soil of low plasticity. The SWCC data from pressure plate extractor have been fitted with Van Genuchten (1980); Brooks-Corey (1964); Fredlund and Xing (1994) equation. The result show that the air entry value and residual matric suction for residual soils are in the range of 18kpa to 30kpa and 43kpa to 670kpa respectively.The result shows that: Generally, Van Genuchten and Brooks-Corey models over predicted volumetric water content (θ) at low suctions, while Fredlund-Xing model under predicted it but the values are close to laboratory measured values

Divorce for Hornby (2001) is the legal ending of a marriage. Mirror (2003) defined divorce as the complete break up or dissolution of marriage through legal means. Divorce is the only ceremony that marks the official end of marriage, just like a wedding ceremony marks the official beginning of the same marriage. Divorce is caused by so many things. Some of the common causes of marital problems or divorce as noted by Arowolo (2002) are, abuse, power tussle between couples, poor financial management, infidelity, infertility/childlessness, hot temper, influence of mother-in-law, influence of bad companies, influence of alcohol, improper use of language, impotence, poor communication between couples, early marriage, prolonged sickness, prolonged hardship and maltreatment. The phenomenon of divorce is receiving increasing attention as a stress-inducing factor or a life crisis that affects over two million adults and one million children world wide annually (Dohrenwend & Dohrenwend, 2004; Norton & Glick, 2003). Marriage breakdown presently appears to be on the increase. Available literature such as Nwoye (1999), Omeje (2000), Aroh (2001), Asogwa (2003), Mirror (2004) and researcher‟s observation from the Nigerian society indicate that marriage breakdown appears to be on the increase and it is becoming increasingly stressful on the part of the divorcees, their children and the society

This work is a concise effort to critically analyze and explore the aspects of Isoko economy, as it pertains to agriculture; fishing and hunting inclusive, industry and trade. The method of acquiring land for the purpose of farming or for carrying out the economic activities is also given equal attention up to 1900. Geographically, the general topography of Isokoland is flat, and much of it is subject to annual flooding. Two distinct floods are distinguished by their causes, as well as period of occurrences, which include the heavy local rainfall, while the other is caused by flood water coming from the river Niger. The influence of the
flood pattern on economic activities is substantial, as shall be exposed in this work. However, the most outstanding physical features of the area are the two great swamps running Northeast and Southwest with a relative highland between them. Located in present day Delta State of Southern Nigeria, Isokoland is divided into two local government areas